a hellhound is always a hellhound.

You can just tell them that you’re actually not quite a grown up so you’re not going to pretend to be a grown up anymore - I’m sure they’ll understand.

I dunno ... they might -- what if it changes- ? I ... dunno ...

Yeah! So, if you wanna choose the people you like the most and stop pretending to be a grumpy grown up then I’m sure they wont mind, okay?

But ain’t they gonna get confused’n stuff ‘n’ think I’m sick’r somethin’ ‘cause I ain’t ever been nothin’ but grumpy afore?

“It’s just a thing people say. Like, uh, your patronus in Harry Potter?”

... ... ... Harry ... Potter?

Well…yeah? I know for a fact that Grace and Lyle both like you and think you’re pretty cool. You probably have more friends than you think you do.

No… If I did, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.

Wh --? ... Oh. ... Oh, right. Yeah. ‘Course.

“Dude, haven’t you seen grumpy puppy? It’s everywhere on the inter- Oh, right. Human stuff.”

“There’s this cute puppy that’s very grumpy and everyone in the world loves him. He’s probably like your spirit animal or something. But you’re right, most of the time it’s the puppies that get excited.”

... How can he be my spirit animal ‘f I’m a spirit animal?

Well ain’t that good for you then… I wouldn’t really recommend it.

Uhm…Yes? I figure I’m not your only friend, right? Didn’t you do the night terror stuff with Lyle and Grace? And Cyrus when he’s not the other guy is pretty nice. And if you’re friends with Lyle then him and Max are a package deal so…

( Damian blinks, silent ) ... ... ... ... ... They’re my friends?

“Right. I forgot you’re like super old.”

“Well then don’t act like a grumpy puppy and I won’t call you that. We’re planning your birthday party after all, you should be excited.”

But ... ain’t puppies th’one’s’t get excited an’ Growed Ups‘re th’one’t get grumpy?

You can do that too. There’s a time and a place for everything though. Like, in class is probably not the best time to be a pup, y’know? But if you’re just hanging out with me or your other friends you don’t have to be grown up then. I think the most important thing is to not pretend to be a grown up when you don’t need to.